Disasters

The Challenger

 

The Challenger was a space shuttle that had a mission to send seven Americans into space, one of which was a female teacher. The fact that NASA was sending an ordinary school teacher in to space drew a lot of media attention. On January 28, 1986, the Challenger launched. But sadly it exploded after being in flight for only 74 seconds. The temperature, being very low, was a major factor. One more shocking then that were the O-rings located on the gas boosters (the SRBs) which had been proven faulty but seen as an acceptable risk. NASA is still being criticized today although it is 15 years after the incident took place.

 

	The explosion of the Challenger.
	The flame caused by escaping gas is seen here on the side of the SRB.
	After the explosion, the SRBs flew off in opposite directions from the wreckage, heading towards the sea. They were detonated 36 seconds after the explosion using onboard explosives.